May is National Electrical Safety Month

May is National Electrical Safety Month—time to begin year-round electrical safety awareness efforts.

Despite the fact that improved product safety engineering, standards and electrical codes have reduced electrical hazards, thousands suffer from electrical shock and fires each year.

Increasing electrical safety awareness, following electrical safety guidelines, and using tools and technology designed to address electrical hazards are all components of a good safety program.

Electricity kills nearly 400 people and injures thousands more each year. Most of these deaths and injuries could be avoided with an increased awareness of electrical safety.

What causes the top electrical hazards? Many are the result of the growing use of electrical power, combined with electrical systems that are over 20 years old. Wiring hazards are both a major cause of electrocutions and home fires, killing hundreds and injuring thousands each year. Misuse of surge suppressors, power strips and extension cords is also a cause of electrocutions and fires. Contact with powerlines and major appliances contribute to hundreds of deaths annually, both at home and in the workplace. Eliminating these electrical hazards will help reduce deaths and injuries.

Eliminating electrical hazards begins with education and awareness. A focus on electrical safety, both at home and in the workplace, can prevent the hundreds of deaths, thousands of injuries and billions of dollars in economic losses that occur each year because of electrical hazards.

Use of tools and technology can also make our reliance on electrical power less hazardous. Investing in ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs), arc fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs), circuit testers and where necessary, personal protective equipment (PPE), can significantly reduce risk.

SVEC and the Electrical Safety Foundation International reminds consumers that taking steps to eliminate the top electrical safety threats around the home and workplace can prevent thousands of deaths that needlessly occur each year.

To help avoid tragic loss and injury please observe the following electrical safety tips:

• Electrical systems installed during the 1970’s and earlier were not designed to handle the demand that we place on the today. To ensure the electrical safety of your home, have an electrical safety inspection performed by a licensed electrician.
• Use appliances and equipment according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Replace damaged electrical equipment or have it repaired at an authorized repair center.
• Make sure power strips, cords and surge suppressors are designed to handle the loads for their intended use. Avoid overloading circuits by plugging too many items into the same outlet.
• Use ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) protection when working where water is near electricity to protect against electric shock.
• Test your GFCIs monthly and after every major electrical storm.
• Make sure electrical products you use, including extension cords, are certified by a nationally recognized independent testing lab, such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL).
• Make sure extension cords are properly rated for their intended use, indoor or outdoor, and meet or exceed the power needs of the appliance or tool being used.
• Extension cords should only be used on a temporary basis. Do not place power cords and extension cords in high traffic areas or under carpets or furniture, and never nail or staple them to the wall or baseboard.
• Test your GFCIs monthly and after every major electrical storm.

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